The agricultural commodity research district shall conduct or contract for the conducting of both short-range and long-range research on agricultural commodities, the planting and production of agricultural commodities, the development and expansion of markets for agricultural commodities, agricultural commodity pest problems and such other research as the district may direct. The district shall hold meetings to ascertain and access agricultural needs of the county, determine the priority of needs, goals and research projects, and provide information and assistance to agricultural commodity producers of the county.